Big Gigs for Jan.29-Feb. 4: Morris Day and the Time, Judith Hill, Sean Anonymous, Sicbay, Vampire Hands, Chris Young and more

Prince is presenting his protégés from past and present at Paisley Park this weekend. Morris Day and the Time are back to celebrate "The Walk," "777-9311" and "Cool" from the 1980s. Besides the dandy Day, the other original members are Jellybean Johnson on drums and Monte Moir on keyboards. Opening will be Judith Hill, sort of a current protégé in the sense that Prince coproduced her 2015 debut album, "Back in Time." Known for her work on "The Voice" and in "20 Feet From Stardom," the Oscar-winning documentary about backup singers, Hill is a powerhouse singer who is capable of getting funky and taking you to church with equal authority. (9 p.m. Fri., Paisley Park, $50-$150.) Bream

Expect a bittersweet tribute to its late founder, Rock Hall of Famer Paul Kantner, when Jefferson Starship revisits the psychedelic folk-rock era that spawned it in the early 1970s after the crash of Jefferson Airplane. This group should not be mistaken for Starship, the Mickey Thomas-fronted band known for "We Built This City" and "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now." Jefferson Starship, still featuring original member David Freiberg (of Quicksilver Messenger Service) and brand-new vocalist Rachel Rose, hired a replacement guitar player when Kantner became ill and played a gig in Milwaukee Thursday night after hearing of his death. "There was nobody like him," Freiberg told the San Francisco Chronicle. "I don't know what we're going to do without him. I guess keep on playing the songs and deal with life." They're paired with headliners Blue Oyster Cult, the "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" and "Godzilla" hitmakers who still feature heyday singer Eric Bloom and lead guitarist Buck Dharma. (8:30 p.m. Fri., Medina Entertainment Center, $35-$53.) Jon Bream

Celebrating a sturdy record label that has quietly led the charge for many of the Twin Cities' loudest bands for 16 years, the Modern Radio Sweet Sixteen parties will boast one in-demand reunion each of its two nights atop some already mighty lineups. Night 1 in the Entry will feature the return of Sicbay, the stormy, Minutemen-echoing early-'00s punk trio whose cult-loved debut album "Firelit S'Coughs" is being newly issued on vinyl for the occasion. They will be joined by the Stnnng, Fury Things and BOYF. Night 2 at the Turf Club welcomes back Vampire Hands, the rhythmic psychedelic quartet whose members have gone on to play with Poliça and Web of Sunsets. They're teaming with Hollow Boys, the Chambermaids and Oaks. (9 p.m. Fri., 7th Street Entry; 9 p.m. Sat., Turf Club; $10 each night.) Chris Riemenschneider
Two of rock's most commercially successful yet widely hated top 40 hitmakers of the late-'90s and early-'00s, Smash Mouth and Uncle Kracker are hitting the casino circuit together. Seems fitting, given the great luck they've already enjoyed in their careers having "All-Star," "Drift Away" and other recordings being kept alive today by corporate radio stations, animated movies and ice-cream commercials. (8 p.m. Sat., Mystic Lake Showroom, $39-$49.) Riemenschneider

If you subscribe to the theory that the world can be divided between lovers of ska music and those who are incapable of cheerfulness, the Toasters are your cup of caffeine. Founder-leader-guitarist-vocalist Buck Hingley has kept this third-wave ska ensemble cooking through various personnel changes ever since it emerged a seminal force in the NYC ska-punk scene in the 1980s. From those early CBGB gigs to the theme music for the kids show "KaBlam!" and on through constant touring, the band's jagged syncopation, antsy rhythms and brawny, squiggly horns remain an addictive delight. Kindred spirits the Prizefighters and Rocksteady Breakfast open. (9 p.m. Sat., Triple Rock, $12-$14.) Britt Robson

After a decadelong layoff due to a paralyzed vocal nerve, Twin Cities vocal powerhouse Renee Austin continues her comeback. She re-emerged at three festivals last summer and then did three sets at the Dakota in November. After a tentative first set, she kept improving all night long. While her voice isn't exactly the same, she demonstrated that she's still a clubland contender with her potent mix of blues, R&B, gospel and country. (9 p.m. Sat., Famous Dave's, $7.) Bream

We've buried too many famous music stars this month. One of them, Natalie Cole, will be saluted by a quintet of Twin Cities singers — Ginger Commodore, Yolande Bruce, Toni Hughes, Ash Smash and Dennis Spears. Cole is an underrated soul singer, who scored early in her career with "This Will Be" and "I've Got Love on My Mind," but she probably became better known as a jazz singer crooning "Unforgettable" ballads that her father, Nat King Cole, made famous. That leaves a wide repertoire for these versatile singers to interpret. (7 p.m. Sun., Dakota, $15) Bream

Another in a long line of local Gram Parsons tribute acts — you might call the Jayhawks the best-known in that line — the Gilded Palace Sinners features a large cast of local folk and bluegrass pickers playing songs from throughout the late alt-country hero's career, including his solo classics, Flying Burrito Brothers tunes and "Sweethearts of the Rodeo"-era Byrds material. The group includes Ross Willets of the Platte Valley Boys, Erik Brandt of the Urban Hillbilly Quartet, Middle Spunk Creek Boys banjoist Joel Olson, "Miss" Becky Kapell and other members of the Beguine Brothers. (8:30 p.m. Thu., Turf Club, $8.) Riemenschneider

The only champ from the TV talent contest "Nashville Star" to make it big in country music, Chris Young landed his first No. 1 country album last fall with "I'm Comin' Over." It's the title track of his fifth album. His romantic ballads like the missing-you "Sober Saturday Night" (with Vince Gill) make women swoon but "Underdogs" shows he can rock like Eric Church. Opening is Cassadee Pope, "The Voice" champion in 2012 who duets with Young on the current single "Think of You." (7:30 p.m. Wed., Northrop auditorium, $35-$55.) Bream

Sean Anonymous is one of the least braggadocious, most outward-thinking rappers in town, so it's somewhat surprising he throws such a great party for himself. The experimental poet's 10th annual birthday bash — actually his 29th overall — follows last summer's release of "Better Days," a sonically playful but lyrically mindful album with chief collaborator Dimitry Kilstorm and guests including Del the Funky Homosapien and Lizzo. His partners for the birthday throwdown will include DJ Name, Sims of Doomtree, Greg Grease and the Crunchy Kids, plus Sophia Eris is DJ-ing between sets. (9 p.m. Fri., First Avenue, $10-$12.) Riemenschneider

Saxophonist Charles Lloyd and guitarist Bill Frisell both possess the yin power of active placidity, the tensile strength that bends without breaking and grows as it gives, accommodating the whole. They are legitimate jazz superstars who pair with drummer Eric Harland and bassist Reuben Rogers to preview Lloyd's upcoming Blue Note disc with Frisell guesting, "I Long To See You," which features protest songs (Dylan's "Masters of War"), affecting standards ("Shenandoah") and songs from Lloyd's 1960s catalog when he played with guitarist Gabor Szabo, a formative influence on Frisell. Expect shimmering beauty that plumbs well beyond skin deep. (7 p.m. Tue., Dakota, $50-$70.) Robson

Often the hardest thing for young classical composers is not actually writing their music, but getting somebody to play it. Into that considerable gap steps the Minnesota Orchestra, which gives performances of new works by the seven participants in this year's Composer Institute mentoring program. Onstage interviews with the composers, who hail from across America, provide contextual information on the content and motivation of their pieces, and further kudos are added by the presence on the conductor's podium of music director Osmo Vänskä, an ardent espouser of new music. (8 p.m. Fri., Orchestra Hall, $20) Terry Blain

The idea of kings, presidents or political leaders being classical composers or accomplished instrumentalists seems faintly ridiculous nowadays. Back in the 18th century Frederick the Great of Prussia was both those things, and the type of music played at his palace retreat in Potsdam is showcased in a new program by Lyra Baroque, the historic instrument orchestra. Geminiani, Quantz and Telemann are among the composers featured, with world-renowned baroque flautist Wilbert Hazelzet the guest soloist. A one-hour version of the concert is offered free to families on Sunday. (7:30 p.m. Fri., Zumbro Lutheran Church, Rochester; 8 p.m. Sat., Sundin Hall, Hamline University, St. Paul; 3 p.m. Sun., the Baroque Room, St. Paul; $10-$25, lyrabaroque.org) Blain